World No. 5 darts star Jonny Clayton has hinted he may retire if he wins the World Championship. While Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are the heavy favourites, few would bet against the Ferrett if any, or both of the two Lukes, were to tumble out early.
The four-time major winner overcame Alexandra Palace debutant Adam Lipscombe 3-1 in the opening round of his campaign and faces Dom Taylor in the next round on December 20th. At the age of 51, Clayton is a verteran compared to 18-year-old Littler and other young darts stars, but his performances have kept him in the top five of the PDC Order of Merit. Four years after winning the Premier League, with only £33,000 seperating him from fourth placed Stephen Bunting, the two-time World Cup winner admitted top four qualification for the Premier League is at the back of his mind.
In his post-match press conference, when asked if he is thinking about a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2023, he said: “I just want to get to World No. 4, hopefully with a million quid and get to World No. 3.
“Obviously, you think about it, you look at the rankings, we all do. It’s in the back of my mind. I know if I don’t produce good darts, I ain’t going to win games. I need to produce good darts to win games and get up that ladder another two steps. »
Looking back to 2023, when he almost walked away from darts after the death of his father, Clayton mysteriously added: « Hopefully (darts) it’s going to be (my job) until I retire.
« But if I win the million this year, I might retire. So it might be the end of Jonny Clayton. »
Clayton strongly considered walking away from the sport two years ago, as he struggled to come to terms with the death of his father. He eventually u-turned on his decision, having admitted he had « lost all interest » in competing on the oche.
Now the popular Welshman is enjoying his darts and the opportunity to win big prizes. However, he did not enjoy his display against Lipscombe too much.
He added: “I had many chances with three darts in hand and I couldn’t get anywhere near a double. That’s my problem at the moment.
“I need to sort that out, but if I can finish like I did tonight on the last set, I’ll be okay.”
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